President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the “One Million Coders” initiative at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT. The program witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 90,000 applications submitted within the first 48 hours, greatly exceeding the initial expectation of approximately 560 applications.

In his keynote address, President Mahama characterized this initiative as a vital milestone towards ushering in a new economic era for Ghana. He emphasized that the program represents Ghana’s commitment to transitioning from a consumer of technology to a contributor

Drawing inspiration from successful global examples, President Mahama referenced Estonia’s integration of coding into its educational framework and India’s leadership in the $410 billion outsourcing sector. He indicated that Ghana, with its strategic geographical positioning and English-speaking workforce, is well-equipped to become Africa’s premier technology hub. In a motivational message directed at the youth, he stated, “You are the architects of this digital dawn. Seize this opportunity not only to learn but to lead.”

On the part of the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon Samuel Nartey George, he announced that the initiative received an extraordinary 91,847 applications on the launch day alone, prompting an immediate expansion of the initial training cohort beyond the originally planned 560 participants.

He underscored the importance of partnerships with leading technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and MTN, to guarantee a curriculum of the highest standards.

The program will adopt a modular training approach, implemented across Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga to promote inclusivity and accessibility for rural areas.